On Tuesday, August 24th, the Kansas City Mavericks announced the signing of forward Jake Bricknell to a standard player agreement. The Port Perry, Ontario native will be joining the Mavericks for his first pro season. Following two seasons attending the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Bricknell decided to make the jump pro after the 2020 U SPORTS hockey season was cancelled.
It was then the 24-year-old signed with the Brampton Beast, however, with the ECHL’s Northern Division opting out of competition, Brampton did not participate and would later fold due to pandemic-related financial losses.
Spending his junior career in the Ontario Hockey League, Bricknell spent four seasons in the league, which saw him suit up for the Belleville Bulls, reigning champion Guelph Storm and the Hamilton Bulldogs. From 2013-17, Bricknell played in 205 games, amassing 42 points on 19 goals and 23 assists. He also racked up 252 penalty minutes.
He then took his talents to the OJHL, where he played a season and a half between the Cobourg Cougars and Aurora Tigers, where he served as team captain. Skating in a combined 68 contests, the righty tallied an impressive 117 points, scoring 45 goals, while adding 72 assists. This also included an eye-popping 148 penalty minutes. 99 of his 117 points were registered during the 2017-18 season.
As he then committed to the Ridgebacks men’s hockey team in the OUA, Bricknell played in 51 games, amassing 48 points on 20 goals and 28 assists. In his sophomore season with the program, the former RBC Cup champion had seven multi-point games.
Bricknell’s life and career have several parallels with his new teammate, Loren Ulett. Both players hail from Port Perry, Ontario, played for the Cobourg Cougars and attended post-secondary at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. Like Ulett, Bricknell projects to be a gritty power forward. It would not be surprising if these two become close over the course of the coming season.
As mentioned, this will be Bricknell’s first professional season and he is joining the Mavericks at a critical time. In order to make it back to the playoffs, Kansas City needs young, dynamic players who lay it all out on the ice on an everyday basis. Bricknell has shown the ability to perform at every level he’s been at, from major junior to collegiate.
Sometimes, the transition from such levels to the ECHL is a tough one for players, while others really hit their stride when they play in the mid-level pro hockey league. Hopefully, Bricknell becomes part of the latter group.
Along with the signing of Bricknell, the Mavericks announced on August 26th that they have re-signed defensemen Tommy Muck to a standard player agreement. Muck was in and out of the lineup in 2020-21, having only participated in 47 contests. In the team’s shortened campaign, he tallied a Plus/Minus rating of -18 along with four assists.
Muck becomes the fourth defensemen from Kansas City’s defensive corps to be returning to the hockey club. Prior to starting his pro career, the 25-year-old spent four seasons in Division I hockey with the Bemidji State Beavers. During his Senior year, the Inver Grove Heights, MN native was appointed as team captain. Hopefully, the left-handed shooter is able to put together a better season. While bringing back a familiar face, the team has not yet announced free agent signees to their blue line.